Windows Marketplace for Mobile now open for developers

Microsoft has officially opened the doors of its Windows Marketplace for Mobile to developers. Windows Mobile code monkeys with a Windows Live ID, valid taxpayer ID, bank account and $99 to spare can sign their life away up for a vendor account with Microsoft. Once approved, developers may begin submitting their Windows Mobile 6.5 applications for inclusion within the Marketplace. Similar to Apple’s App Store, each application will be reviewed and approved according to Microsoft’s application submission guidelines. With new Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets on the horizon and the Marketplace now open for applications, things in the world of Windows Mobile are starting to get interesting. Umm, right?

At $99 for EACH application submitted + the initial $99 registration, that’s a steep outlay. (they did say that as a promo, the first 5 apps are included in the initial outlay).

That’s why developers flocked to Apple, for their $99 they get unlimited app releases. So it makes it easy for developers to try out new things.

OH I forgot… you’ll also need to buy Visual Studio which adds another $300 at least.

RIM also failed to match the success of Apple’s app store because of similar reasons (in RIMs warped world, a developer needs to even pay again for an app upgrade release)

I think both M$ marketplace and RIM AppWorld will ultimately fail due to the ridiculous terms of their agreements. As a developer, I will not be devoting too much time to either rim or ms (might be a mistake on my part, but I got principles)

canny

Isn’t there a huge developer base for winmo already? It’s been around for years! You just had to download it from a 3rd party or directly from the developer and install it through activesync. This will just become the focal point to get your apps from; instead of Handango I guess?